No More Cheap Basses!

[brianrost]

Trying to sell that super duper boutique is always an eye opener!

Only if you bought it brand new!!!

I like buying basses used when they are out of favor. You guys will laugh when I tell you I bought two Pedullas for $800 each, two Steinberger L2s for $550 and $750, a G&L L-2500 for $600, an AVRI Jazz in super-rare Mary Kay (see through blonde with gold hardware) finish for $500 and passed on a bunch of $300-400 StingRays. Yes, kids, there were times when nobody wanted these instruments...except me! When I did let some of them go, I either broke even or made money.

There's nothing at all wrong with cheap basses, but once I got ones that were way better for low dough I stopped thinking about the cheap stuff. Same thing with amps.

The trick is spending enough time at dealers playing stuff (new and used) so you have an idea what you really like, then when you see the sweet deals, pounce.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

99 problems but my Bass ain’t one...

 

[Chad Michael]

Hey everyone, don't you know that 'hating on Fenders' has become a thing around here ??? |c: ???



Post #66.... hearing Mr. Lee talk about them, that is the good stuff right there <c: Doc, enjoy the GLJB my friend!!!!

(GLJB - new TB abbreviation / acronym to add to the list)

fwiw - once again, here is Jarod Grieco talking about how to get your hands and your bass to sound like Geddy, if one is interested....

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Only if you bought it brand new!!!

I like buying basses used when they are out of favor. You guys will laugh when I tell you I bought two Pedullas for $800 each, two Steinberger L2s for $550 and $750, a G&L L-2500 for $600, an AVRI Jazz in super-rare Mary Kay (see through blonde with gold hardware) finish for $500 and passed on a bunch of $300-400 StingRays. Yes, kids, there were times when nobody wanted these instruments...except me! When I did let some of them go, I either broke even or made money.

There's nothing at all wrong with cheap basses, but once I got ones that were way better for low dough I stopped thinking about the cheap stuff. Same thing with amps.

The trick is spending enough time at dealers playing stuff (new and used) so you have an idea what you really like, then when you see the sweet deals, pounce.

I know what mean. I bought my first Stingray for $250 (pre EBMN) a few years before Flea blew up. I bought anAlembic for $900 back in the day, and my Pedulla was $1,066. That said, sometimes I want a brand new bass too.

 

[Sam Dingle]

quality over quantity. but my goal is to have a quantity of quality

 

[Drog]

Seriously, I could have had this bad boy out in November if I would leave those “to good to pass up” deals alone. With the exception of the American SUBs, nothing I have bought comes close to this Geddy.

I love my USA Geddy, my go to bass...

 

[Maxdusty]

I know what mean. I bought my first Stingray for $250 (pre EBMN) a few years before Flea blew up. I bought anAlembic for $900 back in the day, and my Pedulla was $1,066. That said, sometimes I want a brand new bass too.

Exactly...and you deserve to treat yourself every now and then. Very happy that you found one of your ideal basses...only thing is you now have to buy Geddy's Big Book of Bass to complete it.
.

Only if you bought it brand new!!!

I like buying basses used when they are out of favor. You guys will laugh when I tell you I bought two Pedullas for $800 each, two Steinberger L2s for $550 and $750, a G&L L-2500 for $600, an AVRI Jazz in super-rare Mary Kay (see through blonde with gold hardware) finish for $500 and passed on a bunch of $300-400 StingRays. Yes, kids, there were times when nobody wanted these instruments...except me! When I did let some of them go, I either broke even or made money.

There's nothing at all wrong with cheap basses, but once I got ones that were way better for low dough I stopped thinking about the cheap stuff. Same thing with amps.

The trick is spending enough time at dealers playing stuff (new and used) so you have an idea what you really like, then when you see the sweet deals, pounce.

I completely agree with this post too, you can buy cheap basses for cheap prices and well, they'll sometimes sound cheap(you usually get what you pay for if you're not selective), it's buying good to great basses inexpensively (usually used and priced low for one reason or another) that's what I've doing lately, being far more selective than before. If I happen to see a good one, I'll buy it, I don't hunt for them anymore as much as before. Heck, I bought my US made EBMM SUB for $170 from someone who was using it to play Rocksmith. It's a crapshoot.
There's no illusions or expectations though, you usually have to spend the money in order to get the great basses out there.

 

[ChrisBowsman]

Just watched the clip... that thing sounds killer!

What kind of amp are you plugged into? I love that tone... very middy, but full, clear and punchy.

 

[Dave Hill]

Do you have the minerals to resist a $900 Sadowsky ME?

 

[Pings Bass]

Seriously, I could have had this bad boy out in November if I would leave those “to good to pass up” deals alone. With the exception of the American SUBs, nothing I have bought comes close to this Geddy.

Congrats, nice to find "the one!" I still like my cheapos, but my MiM jazz is getting all the love these days.

 

[JoshS]

Do you have the minerals to resist a $900 Sadowsky ME?

Uhh...if you have one for sale at that price I'll confess I don't have the minerals to resist!

 

[Dave Hill]

Uhh...if you have one for sale at that price I'll confess I don't have the minerals to resist!

I don’t, but the new Chinese MetroExpresses are on the way!

 

[Bottom Hammer]

Seriously, I could have had this bad boy out in November if I would leave those “to good to pass up” deals alone. With the exception of the American SUBs, nothing I have bought comes close to this Geddy.

How long have you been playing total and how long have you been playing at church? I just started playing a year ago and my goal is to be able to play at church.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

How long have you been playing total and how long have you been playing at church? I just started playing a year ago and my goal is to be able to play at church.

I have been playing so long it is embarrassing to admit given my skill level. The main thing about playing at church is how challenging is the music they play and what is the level of the other musicians. Another factor is does your church have more than one praise team? Finally, do you already have a musical background because knowing music will help you learn the bass much more quickly.

 

[Bottom Hammer]

I have been playing so long it is embarrassing to admit given my skill level. The main thing about playing at church is how challenging is the music they play and what is the level of the other musicians. Another factor is does your church have more than one praise team? Finally, do you already have a musical background because knowing music will help you learn the bass much more quickly.

To be honest your videos have inspired me quite a bit. I literally watched all of your choir practice and service videos last night. My pride makes me feel like I need to be Sharay Reed or Justin Raines before I play in front of people, but I know the best thing is to just start playing and stop worrying about making mistakes. I learned how to play a few songs and started feeling like I was a prodigy, but after as I started learning more and developing my ear I realized how much I really suck so I even stopped posting videos on my channel. But I think now I'm going to start posting even more and more and just accepting that being bad is part of the growth process. Have you taken lessons or are you self taught? What's your musical background? Do you play any other instruments? Also, make a video showing your bass collection and music room setup, please?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

To be honest your videos have inspired me quite a bit. I literally watched all of your choir practice and service videos last night. My pride makes me feel like I need to be Sharay Reed or Justin Raines before I play in front of people, but I know the best thing is to just start playing and stop worrying about making mistakes. I learned how to play a few songs and started feeling like I was a prodigy, but after as I started learning more and developing my ear I realized how much I really suck so I even stopped posting videos on my channel. But I think now I'm going to start posting even more and more and just accepting that being bad is part of the growth process. Have you taken lessons or are you self taught? What's your musical background? Do you play any other instruments? Also, make a video showing your bass collection and music room setup, please?!?!?!?!?!?!

I took guitar lessons for short while when I was ten and I picked up bass at 15. My first teacher just taught me riffs, and I have been mainly self taught using books and magazine articles. I have had a regular teacher the last few years and that has helped me a lot. For most people, good teachers are the most efficient way to progress quickly.

I post videos for fun. I know my chops are modest and I try to stay within my lane when I play on my videos. I rarely edit because I am just showing myself candidly.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

Congrats on the bass. The US Geddy is a gold standard neck. So good.

 

[Kevin Lynch]

You know how I feel about your Geddy Lee!
It’s everything a great jazz bass should be!

Yes it is. But then again so is my John Suhr era MIM Fender Jazz........as is your American John Suhr Fender.

 

[Kevin Lynch]

I'd rather have a handful of excellent basses than a bunch of good ones. But some prefer a wide variety or just like to have a lot. No single right answer. I will say the "too good to pass up" invariably repeats itself over and over and over again, especially with inexpensive instruments. Another "deal" will come along any moment...

Also, vacuum is an under-rated percussion instrument

I agree with you that there is no right answer. However, and I mean this generally speaking, it doesn’t matter how many basses one has, if one can’t play them.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I took guitar lessons for short while when I was ten and I picked up bass at 15. My first teacher just taught me riffs, and I have been mainly self tapierught using books and magazine articles. I have had a regular teacher the last few years and that has helped me a lot. For most people, good teachers are the most efficient way to progress quickly.

I post videos for fun. I know my chops are modest and I try to stay within my lane when I play on my videos. I rarely edit because I am just showing myself candidly.

I agree with Bottom Hammer. Your videos inspire me as well!

I've been threatening myself to do a video of me playing through my Mesa head after PMing you on how you do your videos. I might do some editing like adding gifs and memes just because that' how I roll
But the playing will be straight up me in the raw, no second takes, for better and no doubt for worse
Warring though, cheap basses will be used!